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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- 'U. W. SPONSEL.

RIFLING MACHINE.

No. 446,898. Patented Feb. 24, 1891.

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Wneases:

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 2. C. W. SPONSEL; RIFLING MAGHINE.

No. 446,898. Patented Feb. 24, 1891.

17222972702: 6. WJ/HJZZAWZ- Wimeemes:

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 3.

0.. W. SPONSEL.

RIFLING MACHINE. No. 446,898. Patented Feb. 24,1891.

J? 1 Z/?.J I a %jl mmi /ZZ No Model..) 9 Sheets-Sheet 4. O. W. SPONSEL.RIFLING MACHINE.

No. 446,898. Patented Feb. 24,1891.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 5.

G. W. SPONSEL. RIFLING MAGHINE.

No, 446,898. Patented Feb. 24, I891.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet e. C. W. SPONSEL. RIFLING MACHINE.

No. 446,898. Patented Feb. 24, 1891.

9 sheets-sheet 7.

(N0 Model.)

0. W. SPONSEL. RIFLING MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 24, 1891.

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(No Model.) v 9 Sheets-Sheet s.

' C. W SPONSEL.

'RIFLING MACHINE.

No. 446,898. Patented Feb. 24, 1891.

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UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. S PO NSEL, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSI GNOR TO' THE PRATTdo WHITNEY COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

RlFLlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent-No. 446,898, dated February2%, 1891.

Application filed October 28, 1890. Serial No. 369,604. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES W. SPONSEL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful ImprovementsinRifling-Wlachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for antomatically making therifle-grooves of gunbarrels, and has for its object to furnish improvedand effective means for operating the barrel and the riding-tool and forfeeding said tool to the work.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a plan view, drawn on a small scale, of a riflingmachineembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front or side elevation of themachine. Fig. 3 is a plan View, on an enlarged scale, of theright-handend of the machine, showing that portion of the bed carryingthe driving mechanism, the shipper mechanism, and'the oilpump. Fig. i isa front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3, some details beingbroken awaythe more clearly to showthe construction. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal central vertical section of the carriage. Fig. 6 is an endview of the carriage as seen from the righthand in Fig. 1 and showing aportion of the bed in section. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of thebed of the machine with the parts com posing the barrel-carrying head inposition thereon. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal central vertical section ofthe parts shown in Fig. 7.. Fig. 9 shows a portion of the bed in sectionand means for rotating the driving-screw by hand, also an end elevationof the index-plate and accessory parts as seen from the left hand inFig. 7, the outline of the frame-work of the head being shown by brokenlines. Fig. 10 is a side view, and Fig. 11 an edge view, of theindex-plate. Figs. 12 and 13 are similar views of the ratchet-wheel forturning the indexplate and spindle. 'Figs.14, 15,16,and 17 are similarviews of the pawl-plate and the pinion-plate, respectively. Figs. 18,19, and 20 are views similar to Fig. 9, illustrative of the operation ofthe index-plate and accessory the index-plate and accessory parts when0011- structed and arranged for making six grooves inthegun-barrel.Fig.24cisaviewoftheriflingrod drawn to a small scale. Figs. 25, 26,and27 are views, drawn on a scale about full or natural size, of a portionof the rifling-rod, shown partially in section, for illustrating themethod of feeding out the riding-cutters. Fig.

28 is a view of the rear end of the rifling-rod. Fig. 29 is a plan viewof one of the cutters. Fig. 30 is a front end view of the spindlesocketfor holding the rifling-rod. Fig. 31 is a plan view of a portion of thebed of the machine, showing the feed mechanism in position thereon. Fig.32 is an end view, par tially in section, of the feed mechanism, as seenfrom the left hand in Fig. 1, and showing also a portion of the bed insection. Fig. 33 is a side view of the feed-ratchet and the feed-screw,the ratchet being shown in section. Fig. 3a is a side view of theoil-pump with cover thereof removed. Fig. 35 is an end view of thelock-nut and accessory parts for holding the barrel.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures.

The main frame or bed of the machine, which is designated in a generalway by the letter B, is somewhat similar in its general proportions tothe beds of ordinary enginelathes, being composed of the two verticalside walls 0 and d, connected at the ends and in some parts of itslength by the fioorf, and being flanged at the base and top of the sidewalls. The top flanges c and 9 form a table whereon to assemble some ofthe details, and the inner edges of said flanges form the ways 61 and 62whereon to clamp the barrel-carrying head and the feed mechanism andwhereon the carriage is fitted to slide.

In the general views, Figs. 1 and 2, owing to thesmall scale on whichthe same are drawn, some of the mechanisms are designated as a whole bya single letter, the barrel-carrying head being designated by the letterH, the feed mechanism by the letter F,

and the carriage by the letter C, each of these mechanisms being morefully described in connection with separate and enlarged views thereof.

The principal operative part of the machine may be considered ascarriage mechair ism, (designated in Figs. 1 and2 by the letter C andshown on an enlarged scale in Figs.

in said figures.

and 6.) The carriage proper (50 is fitted to slide on the aforesaid ways61 and 62, being held thereto by the straps or gibs 63 and (ii, saidgibs being secured to the under side of the carriage by screws in awell-known manner as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. (3. The half-nut-5.) is fixed by screws to the under side of said carriage (it), asindicated in said figures, and is adapted to mesh with the thread of thecarriage-driving screw 11, which screw is supported in bearings 13, Fig.3, and 13, Fig. 8, on the frame of the machine. \Vhen said driving-screwis revolved in one direction, it traverses the carriage toward the lefthand in Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 8, and when reversed to run in the oppositedirection it traverses said carriage toward the right hand The drivingmechanism for actuating said screw is shown in the general views, Figs.1 and 2, and on an enlarged scale in Figs. 3 and i, and will next bedescribed in detail. At the right hand or rear end of thecarriage-driving screw 11 said screw has fixed thereto a gear 10, whichmay be fastened in place by an ordinary shaft-key (not shown) and thenut 12 in a well-known manner. The driving-shaft 5 is located below thescrew-shaft 1], its inner end being carried in the bearings (3, (seeFig. 1,) formed in the frame B, and its outer end in the bearing 7 ofthe yoke or driving-shaft frame K. Said driving-shaft has fixed thereonthe drivinggear 9, which meshes with and drives the aforesaid gear 10 ofthe screw-shaft. For actuating the shaft 5 said shaft is provided with aset of driving-pulleys consisting of the fixed pulley 3 and the loosepulleys 22 and 24, carried on the shaft at the inner and outer sides,respectively, of said fixed pulley.

Power is supplied to the driving-shaft 5 from a main shaft (not shown)by means of the two belts 2 and 1, one of which is an open belt and theother a crossed belt, and which are guided to run on the said loosepulleys 22 and 24, respectively, when the machine is idle. \Yhen thecarriage O is required to be driven in one direction, one of said beltsis shifted onto the fixed pulley 3, and when said carriage is requiredto be reversely operated the other of said belts is shifted onto saidfixed pulley. As a means for operating said belts, a belt-shiftingmechanism is provided, which in its preferred form is constructed andarranged as follows:

The position of the shipper mechanisms when the machine is at rest isshown in Figs. 3 and 4. The screw 11 being right-handed, and the belts 2and 1 being run in the directions of the arrows shown thereon, the belt1 will be the driving-belt for running the carriage (1 forward or towardthe left hand, while the belt 2 will be the returning-belt for drawingback the carriage toward the right hand. Of course the loose pulleys 22and 21 revolve in the direction of the respective belts thereon. Ashipper-rod 23 carried in suitable bearings, as 25, fixed on themainbed. (Sec Figs. 1 and 2.) As a means for operating this rod by hand, ithas rack-teeth 26, engaging the teeth out in the inner segmental end ofthe shipper-handle 27, which is pivoted at 28 to a bracket 20, that isfixed to the bed B. At its right-hand end the shipper-rod has a rack 30,(which may be connected thereto by means of the nut 31,) which rack isfitted to slide in the rack-box 32, and has rack-teeth formed in oneside thereof to engage the teeth of the shipliacr-pinion In Fig. 3 thecovers of the rack-box and of the shipper-cam box are removed to moreclearly show the disposition of the various parts. In Fig. 4 said coversare shown secured in place. Said shipper-pinion 33 is carried by theshipperunion shaft or stud 34, to which it is or may be fixed by a key,(not shown,) said shaft being fitted to freely turn in a lower hearingat 35 in the rack-box 32 and in an upper hearing at 36 in the cover 37of said rack-box. A segment 38, designated as the shipper-segment, isalso carried by the shaft 31, and is fixed thereto by means of a key.(Not shown.) The teeth of said segment engage rack-teeth that are formedin one side of the shipper-cam 39, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. Saidshipper-cam 3.) is fitted to slide in the shipper-cam box 40, which isfixed on the bed of the machine at the righthand end thereof. Said camhas two camgrooves a1 and 4.2, wherein engage, respectively, theshipper-cam pins 13 and 41 of the respective shipper-rods 45 and 50,which are fitted to slide in bearings formed therefor in the cam-box-10, and are provided with the shippers 1t; and 51, that are clamped tothe rods by the clampscrews 47 and 52, respectively. For preventingrotation in their bearings of said shipper-rods 15 and 50 theirrespective pins 43 and 41 pass through slots -18 and -19, respectively,in the bottom of the cam-box 40. As shown in Figs. 3 and t, the shipper16 engages the belt 2 and the shipper 51 the beltl. The organization ofthis belt-shipping mechanism is such, as will be seen from Figs. 1 and3, that when the carriage C moves toward the right hand and strikes thestep 111, fixed on said rod 23, it acts through said rod and theconnectinggearing and the cam 39 to first shift the belt 2 from thepulley onto the loose pulley 22 and immediately thereafter (by reason ofthe form and arrangement of the grooves 41 and 42) to shift the belt 4from the loose pnlley2-t onto the pulley I thus reversing the motion ofthe screw-shaft 11 and of the carriage C. \Vhen the carriage has run inthe opposite direction sufficiently far, it strikes the similar stop113, and thus reversely operates the rod 23 to reshil't the belts toagain reverse the motion of the carriage. The stops 111 and 113 are ofcourse adjustable lengthwise of the rod 2 3. The bed 60 has formedthereits ways.

on or fixed thereto the lugs or ears 110 and 112, the former to engagethe adjustable shipper-rod stops 1.11 and 113 and the latter to engagethe indexing-cam-rod stops 114 and 115. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 6.)

The carriage-actuating screw 11 is in practice threaded only a portionof its length, the remaining portion being continued of re duceddiameter to connect with the devices for actuating said screw-shaft byhand. This arrangement is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. On the left-hand endof said shaft 11 and adjacent to the bearing 13 there is a miter-gear 14(fixed to said screw-shaft by the pin 15 or otherwise) for meshing withthe miter-gear 16, which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8 and insection in Fig. 9. Said gear 16 is suitably fixed to the inner end ofthe shaft 17, as illustrated in Fig. 9, wherein the said gear 14 isshown in dotted lines. Said crank-shaft 17 is or may be carried in abushing 19, which is fitted into a bore in the bed 13 and secured byscrews, as 20. By means of this gearing and a hand-crank applied to thesquared head 21 of the shaft 17 the carriage-screw 11 may be readilyrevolved by hand to bring the carriage to an exact position whenadjusting the machine ready for using.

To prevent any undue deflection of the screw-shaft 11, one or moreshaft-bearings 18 are fixed to the bed B under said shaft by screws, asshown in Figs. 1 and 6. Said boxes are of course fitted to the outsidediameter of the threaded part of the said screw-shaft.

The carriage mechanism 0 in the preferred form thereof shown in thedrawings is constructed and arranged as follows: The carriage-frame isfitted to slide on the ways or guides 61 and 62 of the main bed B, andis provided, as hereinbefore mentioned, with the gibs 63 and 64 forholding the carriage to The two uprights or heads 65 and 66 on the bed60 are provided with removable bearings, as 67 and 68, held in place bythe usual caps, as-69 and 70, for the rifling-spindie 71. (See Fig. 5.)Two pinions 72 and 73 are fitted to said spindle, being fixed thereto byshaft-keys. A collar or flange 74 and the nut 75 hold the spindle andthe pinions thereon in place longitudinally. Said pinions 72 and 73engage a rack that is preferably made in two parts for the purpose ofadjustment to prevent backlash or play. The part 76 of said rack isfixed to the rack-slide 7 7 by screws, as 78, and the teeth thereof meshwith the teeth of the pinion 72. The part 79 of said rack is closelyfitted to slide in said slide 77 and is adjusted longitudinally of thepart 76 by means of a screw (not shown) ina wellknown manner. A bracketor rack carrying frame 80 is secured to the carriage-frame 60-by screws,as shown, and carries said rack-slide 77, said bracket being suppliedwith a gib 81 lating the degree of the taper or twist of shown, to clampthe traverse-bar 87 in any required position. A backward and forwardmovement being imparted to the carriage by means of thehereinbeforetlescribed screwshaft and driving mechanism, and the bar 87being set inclined, as indicated in Fig. 1,'said bar traverses thecarriage-slide 77 to and fro crosswise of the machine during thecarriage movement.

The carriage-spindle 71 is fitted to carry the rifiing-rod as follows,reference being had especially to Fig. 5 and to Figs. 24 to 30,inclusive: The rifiing-rod is designated in a general way by 100, andhasa shank 102, Figs.

24 and 28, fitting into the bore 101 of said spindle. Said shank hasformed thereon arms or lugs 103, which fit into the correspondingnotches 104, that are formed in the front end of the spindle 71. (SeeFigs. 24, 28, and 30.) The shank of the rod 100 having'been placed inthe bore 101 of the spindle 71, withthe arms 103 of said shank fittinginto the notches 104, the lock-nut 105 is screwed onto the spindle 71,thereby forcing the shank 102 tightlyinto the socket 101. The check-nut106, Fig. 24, is then screwed up against the said lock-nut, thussecurely holding the rifiing-rodin place. The lock-nut 105 usually hasnotches 107, Fig. 5, formed in the front thereof to allow of the freepassage of the arms 103 of the rifiingrod shank 102. To remove therifling-rod from the spindle, the check-nut 106 is first loosened andthen the lock-nut 105 turned back until the shank 102 is loosened andthe' notches 107 stand in alignment with the arms 103, when the rodmaybe removed, said arms passing through said notches.

Figs. 25 to 27,inclusive,illustrate the mode of carrying theriding-cutters in the ridingrod and the method of feeding out the saidtools or cutters. The cutters 108, usually two in number, as shown inthe drawings, are inserted in mortises formed in the rod 100. Said rodis bored for a portion of its length to receive the feed-pin or wedge109, which is flattened and tapered for a portion of its length on twosides thereof to form a thin wedge, by means of which the cutters areforced out. hen the machine is prepared for use, said wedge or feed-pinis drawn out, as in Fig. 25, to allow the cutters 108 108 to pass freelythrough the gun-barrel. At the left-hand end of the machine there isafeedscrew 212, which is turned (by means hereinafter described) towardthe right hand a small distance at each stroke of the rod 100. \Vhen therod approaches the feed-screw, as in Fig. 25, the pin 109 strikes theface 212 of said screw, as in Fig. 26,the wedge being thus drivenfarther in between the cutters 108 108, as indicated by the lines a 11,which lines are nearest together in Fig. 25, farther apart in Fig. 26,and still farther apart in Fig. 27, where two feeding operations aresupposed to have been performed. The cutters 108 are or may be of theusual description, being shown in plan view in Fig. 29, and each havingseveral inclined cutting-teeth, as 9.), adapted to form the requiredrifle-grooves by successive cuts.

The barrel-carrying mechanism, which is designated by H in Figs. 1 and2, is more fully shown in Figs. 7 and 8, while some details are furthershown in Figs. 9 to 23, inelusive. This division of the machine has asupplemental bed 120, which rests on the ways 61 and 62 of the main bedand is fixed thereto by screws, as shown in Fig. 7. A part of said bed(designated by 121,Fig. 5)) supports the indexing'cam box 122, which,with its cover 123, is or may be screwed to said part 121 by screws, asshown. The indexing-cam 121 is fitted to slide in the said box 122 andhas fixed to one end thereof the cam-rod 125, which rod is fitted toslide in bearings 126 and 127, that are fixed to the main bed B, asshown in Fig. 1. Said cam 121 has a cam-groove 128 formed therein. Inthis groove works the cam-pin129,that is fixed in the indexingracksegment 130, which is pivoted at 131 in an opening or mortise 132,formed in the said part 121 to receive said segmental gear, togetherwith the rack 138, with which said segment meshes. Two bearin g uprights135 and 136 rise from the bed 120, and two spindlebearings 137 and 138are fitted in said uprights, respectively, being held in place by theusual caps 136 and 110. The tubular barrel-carrying spindle 111 is journaled in said bearings and is held in place longitudi- 'nally by itsflanges 112 and 113, thatare formed on said spindle on either side ofthe box 138. For holding the barrel G to be rifled said spindle isprovided at its front end with a lock-nut 185, fitting a screw-threadformed on the spindle after the manner of holding ordinary lathe-chucks.A bushing is bored to receive the enlarged end or breech 181 of thebarrel G, and a nut 182 is bored to fit the part 188 of said barrel andto screw into the said bushing 180, thus firmly securing said bushing tothe breech of the barrel. The bushing 180 has formed on the front endthereof the lugs or projections 181 to fit corresponding notches formedin the spindle 111, similar to the notches 101 in the rod-carryingspindle 71. The lock-nut is screwed onto the spindle to engage the frontside of said projections 181, and thus hold the above-described partsfirmly in place. N otches, as 186, are formed in the lock-nut, so thatthe barrel G, with the bushing 180 fixed thereon, may be removed fromthe spindle 141 without entirely removing the said lock-nut in a manneressentially the same as above described for removing the rifiing-rodfrom its spindle. A colletorthimble 187, whose outer end 188 is bored tofit the taper of the barrel G, and which is preferably cylindrical inform, is fitted to slide closely in the bore of the spindle 111. It isusually splitin one or more places, as at 189, for the purpose ofproviding a slight degree of elasticity. After the barrel is fixed inthe spindle the collet 187 is slid into the spindle 111 until the end188 of the collet brings up firmly on the tapered part of the barrel, asindicated in Fig. 8, thereby accurately centering the same relatively tothe spindle.

For intermittently revolving the spindle 111 and the barrelspindle-actuating devices are providedas follows: A pinion 111 is fittedto turn freely on the spindle, the teeth thereof meshing with the teethof a rack 133, which is fitted to slide on and crosswise of thecarriage. A disk 115 is fixed to the hub 116 of said pinion by suitablemeans, as key 117. The plate 115 carries a pawl-plate 118, which isadjustably fixed thereon or thereto by a stud 116 and nut 118, saidplate 118 having a series of holes 156, 157, and 158 therefor. Saidpawl-plate carries pivotally supported thereon at 119 (see Figs. 9, 11,and 15) an index or cam pawl 150 and at 151 a ratchet-pawl 152. Astoppin 153 is fixed in the plate 118 to limit the movement of the pawl150, as best shown in Fig. 11. A spring 151 (shown in dotted lines inFig. 9) may be provided to actuate the said pawls. B y shiftin g thebelt 116 from one to another of the holes 156,157, and 158 the positionof the plates 115 and 118 may be adjusted relative to each other to suitdifferent kinds of rifiing.

For firmly retaining the spindle 111 in its several positions whilemaking the cuts it is furnished with an index-plate 151), which is shownfixed thereto by a key 160. The spin tile-actuating ratchet-wheel 161 isfitted onto the hub 162 of the said index-plate, being usually fixedthereto by a key 163. As is best shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the saidindexplate or cam-plate 15.) has formed thereon or fixed thereto twosimilarly-shaped cams 161 and 1.65, which I denominate the feed-cams,and which operate the feed mechanism in a manner hereinafter fullydescribed through a lever 166, that is carried by a stud 167, fixed inthe upright 136 of the bed 120. (See Figs. 7 and 0.) The cap 110 hasformed integral therewith a bracket 168, in which is fitted to slidevertically the lock-bolt 169 for locking the index-plate. Said bracketis furnished with a wedge-shaped gib, as 170, Fig. 7,

\ of the pawl 150 first lifts the bolt 169 for taking up the wear of thebolt, which bolt is provided with a bolt-actuating pin 171. The bracket168 has an opening formed therein, in which are inserted a spring 172and a pin or bolt 173, that operate through the pm 171 to hold the point174 of the lockbolt 169 normally in engagement with one of theindex-notches 179 of the index-plate 159, as is best shown in Fig. 8. Onthe forward movement of the disk 14.8 the cam end 150 (through the pm171 thereof) out of engagement with the 1ndex-notch, as 179, and nextthe pawl 152 engages one of the teeth of the ratchet 161, thus turningforward the spindle 141, to-

gether with the several parts carried thereby,

until the next index-notch, as 179, comes to the said lock-bolt. Duringthe early part of that forward movement the cam 1'50 passes from undersaid pin 1-71,and thereby allows the spring 172 to throw down the boltonto the periphery of the index-plate in readiness to engage the nextapproaching index-notch, as 179, Figs. 9 and 10. These severalsuccessive operations are illustrated in Figs. 18, 19, and20,respectively. In Fig. 18 the pawl 150 is carried forward sufficientlyfar to have lifted the bolt 169 out of engagement with the notch 179. InFig. 19 the index-plate has been turned forward one full space and thebolt has descended again into the notch 179. Fig. 20 illustrates thereturn movement of the pawl-carrying plate 14:8 and shows thelifting-pawl 150, with the cam 150 thereof, returning over the bolt-pin171 in a wellknown manner, said cam projecting on one side of the arm ofthe pawl 150 to provide for that return movement.

In Figs. 21, 22, and 23 are shown successive operations of the ratchetmechanism when constructed and arranged for dividing the revolution intosix divisions. According to this modification the index-plate 159 hassix notches, and the ratchet 161 has a corresponding number of teeth, asindicated by the dotted lines. In this arrangement the ratchet-plate 118 is shifted on the disk 1-15 until the pin 116 passes through the hole158, thus setting the ratchet-plate backward (toward the left hand inFigs. 9, 21, 22, and 23) by a distance equal to the difference betweenonesixth of a revolution and one-fourth of a revolution, this positionbeing indicated in Fig. 21. In the operation of the machine when thusadjusted the ratchet-plate 14.8 moves forward nearly one-sixth of arevolution before beginning to turn the ratchet-wheel161,this movementbeing begun when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 22 andcompleted when the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 23. On thereturn movement of the ratchet-plate the movement of the pawl 150 is thesame as described in -connection with the preceding figures. Theintermediate pinhole 157 (see Fig. 16) is for use when the barrel to berifled is to have five rifle-grooves made therein. By means of thissystem of adj ustment the machine may be adapted for use in the ridingof different kinds of gunbarrels without altering the above-describedmechanism for actuating the pinion 114.

The feed mechanism, which is designated by F in Figs. 1 and 2,constitutes a principal feature of my invention, and is most fully shownin Figs. 31 and 32, reference being had also to Figs. 9,10, and 11,Figs. 18, 19, and 20, and Figs. 24 to '27, inclusive. The supplementalbed-plate 195 is adjustably fixed to the main bed ]3 near the left-handend thereof and carries the principal parts of the feed mechanism. Saidbed-plate 195 is clamped by straps 196 and bolts 197 to the ways 61 and62 of said main bed. The feed-slide 198 is fitted to slide on thebed-plate 195 longitudinally of said ways 61 62, being held in place bythe guides 199 and 200, formed on the bed-plate, and the guide-straps201 and 202, which are secured to the said guides by screws, as shown inthe drawings. Said feedslide 198 is bored to receive the reduced part203 of the rod 23, which passes freely through the said slide and whoseouter end is supported by a bearing 204 on the bed 195. Aslide-retracting spring 205 is carried by the said rod between the slide198 and said bearing 204. A stop-pin 206, fitting in the slot 207,

is provided for the purpose of limiting the sliding movement of theslide 198 due to said spring. The feed-screw carrier 208 is pivotallysupported between the arms 191 and 192 of the slide 198 by means of apivot-pin 209. The feed-screw ratchet 210 has a hub or sleeve 211journaled in said carrier and screwthreaded to receive the feed-screw212, which screw, as shown in the drawings,has .a lefthand thread. Therevolving feed-screw nut is held in place longitudinally of the carrierby a nut or collar, as 213, in the usual man ner. The pin-drivingfeed-screw 212 is usually furnished with stop-nuts 211 and 215 forlimiting the working-stroke thereof. A stud 216 is fixed in the carrier208 and engages the forked end 219 of the arm'2l7, which arm is fixed tothe outer end of the screw 212 by means of a pin 218 for the purpose ofpreventing the feed-screw from rotating. The purpose for which thefeed-screw is carried by the laterally-shiftable carrier 208 is topermit said screw to be thrown out of its normal or working positionforward of the rifiing-rod, and thus provide for removal of said rod andof the gun-barrel without obstruction. The carrier being pivoted as setforth, it may be swung into the position indicated by dotted lines inFig. 32. For limiting its downward movement when shifted into itsworking position said carrier has a stop-arm 237, which is fitted tobear against a lug 236, that is formed on the slide 198. For lockingsaid car rier 208 in its normal position, as shown by solid lines inFig. 32, a lock-bolt 238 'is provided, which is operated by means of aspring (not shown) and with a knob 239, whereby to This bolt locks thesaid withdraw the same.

carrier in position by engaging under the arm 237, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 32. \Vhen about to remove the gun-barrel from thebarrel-carrying spindle, the feed-screw is first shifted out of itsnormal position, as set forth, after which the lock-nut 185 may beloosened and the barrel taken out. On the rod 203 an adjustablestop-collar 2t0 is secured by a clamp-screw for the purpose of pushingback or retreating the slide 108 when the carriage 0 reaches a certainpredetermined point. This important function of the machine is for thepurpose of controlling accurately the feeding in of the wedge 106notwithstanding there may be a variability in the stroke of the carriageO, for, as will be readily understood, the stroke of said carriage 1snecessarily slightly variable, owing to the well-known variable actionof the carriagedriving mechanism, which, though of slight amount, isstill sulfieient in practice to pre' vent satisfactory operation of thecutters.

The apparatus for feeding forward the feedscrew 212 comprises actuatingmechanism carried on the head ill and a reciprocating pawl connected tobe operated by said mech' anism. The feed-pawl 223 (see Figs. 31 and ispivotally supported at 22-tin the upper end of the pawl-slide or plunger222, which is carried in the bracket 220, which is set on the bed-plate195 and fixed thereto. A reciprocating movement being given at theproper time to said plunger 222, the pawl 223 is thereby caused to feedforward the ratchetwheel 210 one or more notches at a time, as may berequired. The upper end of the plunger 222 larger than the lower partthereof, (see Fig. 32,) and a spring 225, contained in the bore of saidbracket, bears against the shoulder of the plunger for actuating thepawl to operate said ratchet-wheel 210. By this means, it. will beobserved,said wheel is forwardly actuated by the force of the spring.For limiting the working-stroke of the pawl said plunger 222 is providedat its lower end with the check-nuts 226 and 227, as will be fullyunderstood from the drawings. The plunger is drawn back by means of thearms 233, which bear against the projecting ends of a pin 235, whichpasses through slots (not shown) formed in a well-known manner in thesides of the plunger-case 221 and passes through the plunger. Said armsbearing against the forward side of said pin, the downward motion of thearms retracts theplunger, while the upward motion thereof simply permitsthe forward movement of the plunger without compelling such movement.The rockerarm 233 is carried by the rock-shaft 228, which is supportedat one end in the bearing 230, fixed to the bed 13, (see Figs. 1 and31,) and at the other end in the similar bearing 220, fixed to the bed13 adjacent to the frame 1-20, that carries the hereinbeforedescribedspindle 1&1. Said rock-shaft 228 is held in place longitudinally by acollar 232, fixed thereto on one side of the bearing 220,

erases and by an arm 231, fixed thereto on the other side of saidbearing, as best shown in Figs. 7 and 0. The arm 231 bears on the outerend of a lever 166, which is pivoted to a stud 167, fixed in the head offrame 120, and whose inner end is shaped to bear against the cams 164:and 165 as these revolve with the spindle 141. As shown in Figs. 6 and10, the index-plate 150 carries two said cams, which are substantiallyalike, while the index has four divisions. This arrangement results inoperating the feed mechanism once for each two strokes of the carriageC, the barrel being rotated through one of the index-plate divisions foreach movement of said carriage. It will be obvious that the lever 166may be dispensed with, provided the arm 231 be lengthened suliicientlyto be operated by said feedcams 161 and 165. The purpose of said leveris to reverse the motion and to rcducethe size of the parts; also, tosecure what is deemed in some respects to be a preferable arrangement ofthe mechanism. \Vhen the machine is in operation and the cam 161:, forinstance, acts upon the lever 166 to turn the rock-shaft 228 to drawback the plunger 222, the pawl 223 passes over the notches of theratchetwheel 210, and on the reverse movement of said shaft the spring225, acting through said plunger and the pawl 223, feeds forward saidratchet. This operation goes on until the check-nut 211i: comes againstthe end of the ratchet-wheel hub, and, since the ratchetwheel cannot beturned farther, the plunger on being drawn back, as set forth, isretained there by the pawl 223-3 engaging in the notches of said wheel210, thus stopping the feeding operation. The arm 233 being, ashereinbefore stated. forward of the pin 235, it cannot act directly tofeed said ratchet-wheel. This mechanism furnishes a very convenient andeffective means for feeding said wheel and one which is safe inpractice, since when the feed-screw reaches its limit thefeedingmecltanism becomes inoperative.

For oiling the riding-cutters I use an apparates which isCOI'IStl'llCfGtl and arranged as follows: An oil-tank T. a portion ofwhich is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, is fixed to the under side ofthe bed 15 near the right-hand end thereof. An oil-pu mp P,of awell-known type, (shown in plan view in Figs. 1 and 3 and in side view,with the cover removed, in Fig. 317,) is fixed to the main bed of themachine. This pump is of the well-known geared variety, and consists ofthe usual pump-frame 2-15, having a driving-shaft 2 :6 journaledtherein, to which is fixed the driving-gear 217, that meshes with anddrives the si milarly driven gear 248. Thegear 24:8 is carried by a stud240, which is journaled in the pump-frame, as shown. Said pump is drivenby means of a belt (not shown) running on a driving-pulley 250, fixed inthe drivin -shaft 246. A suitable pipe-connection is had with theoil-tank by means of the ordinary pipes and pipe-joints designated by251, through which the oil is drawn from said tank into said pump. Theoil is then forced by the said pump-gears through the largeconveyer-pipe 252, which is suitably connected to the pump. as shown. Asmall sliding conveyer-pipe 253 is telescoped into the horizontal pipe252, and from said smaller pipe rise the oil-spouts 251 and 255, saidpipes and spouts being supported by the pipe-supporting clamps 256 and257, respectively, which are adjnstably secured to one of the ways ofthe bed B by clamp-screws, as indicated in the drawings. (See Figs. 1,2, 3, 4t, 7, and 8.)

The general operation of the machine is as follows: Inpreparing to usethe machine the operator shifts the feed-screw out of its normalposition, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 32. Next the rifle-barrelG is properly placed, as hereinbefore described, in the barrel-carryingspindle 141 of the head H, and the traverse-bar 87 is set at an anglecorresponding to the required twist of the riflegrooves to be made. Therifle-cutters and the feed-pin 109 are properly placed, as indicated inFig. 25, in the riding-rod 100, which rod is then properlyfixed,ashereinbefore described, in the rod-carrying spindle 71 of thecarriage O. The pin-driving feed-screw is now shifted into its workingposition (shown in solid lines in Fig. 32) and (the pawl223 being liftedby hand) the ratchet-wheel2l0 turned back until said screw is retreated,so that on the first working-stroke of the rod 100 the feed-pin 109 willonly come to the face 212 of said screw without being thereby driveninto the riding-rod. The pawl 223 is then dropped into engagement withthe ratchet 210, and the adj usting-nuts 226 and 227 on the plunger 222are set for limiting the feed-pawl movement to the desired number ofratchet-wheel notches. Next the stop 240 on the rod 203 is set forretreating the feed-slide 198 when the feed-pin 109 comes to the face212'of the feed-screw 212, so that, as hereinbefore set forth, anyexcess of the normal stroke of the carriage will drive back thefeed-slide and the feed-screw thereon, so as to prevent overfeeding theriding-cutters 108 on the contacting of the said pin 109 and the face212. The stops 111 and 113 are suitably fixed on the shipper-rod 23 toreverse the motion of the screw-shaftJl when the carriage reaches theends of its proper stroke, which st oke is made to correspond with thelength of the barrel being rifled; also, the stops 114 and 115 areproperly placed on the rod for actuating, as hereinbefore described,(and at the ends of the carriage movement,) the index .mech-. anism forrevolving the gun-barreh The machine being now started up, the carriageO has given thereto, by means of the driving mechanism therefor, areciprocating movement limited by the position of the aforesaid stops111 and 113 and at the completion of each forward stroke of the carriageby means of the stops and connecting mechanism described. The spindle141, carrying the bar rel therein, is turned forward through the spaceof one division of the index-plate 159. The time, however, of saidrotating movement may be shifted to the other end of the working-strokeof the carriage by reversing the construct-ion of the groove 128 in theslide 124 (see Fig. 7) in a well known manner. The feed-cams 164c and165 being only half the number of the index-plate divisions, the cuttersare fed out only at each alternate forward stroke of the carriage, sothat said cutters make one cut on their forward stroke and one on theirreturn-stroke, the said two outs being in successive riflegrooves. Ateach forward stroke of the carriage toward the left hand in Figs. 1 and2 the feed-pin comes, as before stated, to the feed-screw 212, andwhenever said screw is advanced toward the right hand said pin willthereby be driven between the rifling-cutters, and these cutters therebyfed outward for taking a deeper-cut. The operation of the machine beingcontinued, as here described, until the feed-screw stop-nut 214: isbrought against the hub or collar 213, the feeding forward of saidfeed-screw is thereby, as hereinbefore set forth, stopped, thusfinishing the feeding out of the rifiing-cutters. This operation beingcompleted, the operator stops the machine bymeans of the handle 27,whereby he shifts the shipper-rod 23 to bring the belts 2 and 1 onto theloose pulleys 22 and 24, respectively, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4,and if at that moment the carriage C has not withdrawn the rifling-rodfrom the barrel G the operator, placing an ordinary crank on the squaredstem 21 of the shaft 17, turns the screw-shaft 11 to run the carriage tothe desired position. This being done, the feed-screw is shifted out ofits normal position, as hereinbefore stated, the lock-nut is loosened,and the barrel G removed, after.

which another barrel is put in place, the feedpin 109 withdrawn from itsposit-ion in Fig. 27 to that shown in Fig. 25, the feed-screw 212 againretreated, and the machine otherwise made ready, as hereinbeforedescribed, for further operation.

In operating the machine the oil-spouts 254C and 255 are set to deliveroil to the cutters as they emerge at either end of the riflebarrel, sothat for each cut the riding-cutters are first thoroughlylubricated.During the operation of the machine the carriage C traverses to and frothrough nearly the-same stroke each time it goes forward; but, as beforementioned, said stroke is unavoidably slightly variable. This variationis fully overcome, sofar as to avoid defective cutter-feeding duethereto, by means of the rod operated from said carriage and carrying astop, as 240, set for retreating the feed-screw and its carrier when thecarriage goes beyond its normal movement. By means. of this retreatingfeed-screw the highest efficiency and perfec- IIO tion of operation isreadily attainable and the most serious drawbacks of the old kind ofriding-machines eifectually overcome.

By means of my improved mechanism for riliing-machines 1 am enabled touse for operating the rifling-rod a driving mechanism, substantially asherein described, having a reversible screw-shaft for imparting the reciprocatin g movement to the carriage, whereby a uniform velocity ofmovement is obtained throughout the stroke of the ridingrod, therebysecuring uniformity of cutting action throughout the length of theriding groove. It is well known to men skilled in this art that avariable cutting speed also varies the action of the cutters, so that itis dililcult to produce perfect work when the carriage is driven (as itgenerally is in the old kinds of rifting-machines) by a crank andconnecting-rod, it being remembered, of course, that the crank andconnecting-rod for driving the riding-machine carriage have heretoforebeen used chiefly on account of the limitations of the old kinds ofpin-driving feed mechanism.

It will of course be understood that many of the minor details ofconstruction shown in the drawings are old and well known, and aretherefore not to be regarded aslimitations of my invention, beingadopted for use in my improved riding-machine because the value thereofas machine elements is established by practice. Of this nature is theapparatus, for instance, intermediate to the rod 23 and to theshipper-rods 45 and 50, this shipperactuated mechanism beingsubstantially the same as that heretofore used for reversing themovement of metal-platters and machines of like character.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a riding-machine, thecombination, with the barrel-carrying spindle and with the carriagehaving a riding-rod carrying ridingeutters and a feed-pin for saidcutters, of feed mechanism located for driving said pin and constructedand connected to be retreated on the movement of the carriage beyond itsnormal forward stroke.

2. I11 a riding-machine, the combination, with the reciprocatingriding-rod havingcutters and a feed-pin, substantially as described, ofa pin-driving feed mechanism having a feed-slide connected to beretreated on the movement of the rifling-rod beyond its normal forwardstroke.

3. In a riding-machine, the combination, with the reciprocatingriding-rod havin g cutters and a feed-pin, substantially as described,of a pin-driving feed-screw carried by a carrier constructed andconnected to be retreated on the movement of the riding-rod beyond itsnormal forward stroke.

4-. In a rifling'machine, the combination, with the reciprocatingriding-rod having a feedpin projecting from the forward end thereof, ofthe feed-screw carried by a slide movable longitudinally of the machine,said slide being connected, substantially as described, to be retreatedon the movement of the riding-rod beyond its normal forward stroke.

5. In a riding-machine, the combination, with the slide carrying thepin-driving feedscrew, of a stop limiting the movement of said slidetoward the riding-rod, anda spring normally holding the slide to saidstop whereby the slide is permitted to retreat, as set forth, and thefeed-pin is actuated by said spring through the slide and feed-screw.

6. In a riding-machine, the combination, with the feed-slide, of thefeed-screw carrier shiftable thereon and carrying the feedscrew, andmeans for locking and unlocking said carrier, whereby the feed-screw maybe shifted out of its working position, substantially as set forth.

7. In a riding-machine, the combination, with the carriage having aritling-rod, substantially as described, provided with a feed pin, ofmeans forcarrying theriile-barrcl, the feed-slide carrying feedmechanism, substantially as described, and a rod carrying ad justablestops intermediate to the carriage and feed-slide, whereby thefeed-slide may be retreated on the movement of the carriage beyond itsnormal forward stroke.

8. In a riding-machine, the combination, with the feed-slide carrying afeed-screw, of means,substantially as described, for actuating said feedslide to retreat the feed-screw, a ratchet-wheel operating thefeed-screw, the pawl located for engaging the ratchet-wheel during theretreating movement of the feedscrew, and means for actuating saidpawl..,

I). In a riding-machine, the combinatiomin the feed apparatus thereof,of a supplementary bed adjustable longitudinally of the ma chine, thefeed-slide supported on said bed for retreating movement, a feed-screwcarried on said slide, and a feed-serew-aetuating pawl carried bypawl-actuating means, substantially as described, supported on said bed.

10. In a riding-machine, the combination, with the barrel-carryingspindle, of means, substantially as described, for intermittentlyrotating said spindle, the carriage and the cutter-provided riding-rodcarried thereby, said rod having a feed-pin for feeding out the cutters,a feed-screw located in the path of said feedpin, a ratchet and pawl forengaging the feed-screw, one or more feedcams carried on thebarrel-carrying spindle, and connections actuating the feed-screwratchet from said cams, whereby the feedscrew is advanced toward thecarriage on the rotation of the spindle.

1]. In a riding-machine, the combination, with a barrel-carryingspindle, of a disk arranged to have a rotary reciprocating movement onsaid spindle, an index-plate fixed on the spindle, a ratchet-wheelfixed011 the spindle, a lock-bolt for said plate, means for rotatin g saiddisk through a fixed are, and a ratchetplate'carrying one pawl forrevolving said spindle and a cam-pawl for lifting said bolt, saidcam-plate being constructed for attachment to the rotary reciprocatingdisk in successive positions corresponding to diiferent numbers ofdivisions in the index-plate.

12. In a rifiing-machine, the combination, with the. barrel-carryingspindle, of the pinion 144 and means for imparting a rotaryreciprocating motion to the said pinion through a fixed arc, theratchet-wheel and index-plate fixed on said spindle, the lock-boltengaging the index-plate, a spring normally holding the lock-bolt inengagement with the indexplate, and pawls, substantially as described,adj ustably fixed on said pinion and arranged to first lift thelock-bolt and then engage the ratchet-wheel for turning the spindle.

13. In a rifiing-machine, the combination, with the barrel-carryingspindle and with means, substantially as described, for locking thebarrel in said spindle, the bore of the spindle being larger than thediameter of the barrel, of the thimble 187, fitted to slide in thespindle and to engage the barrel by the tapering part thereof, as setforth.

14. In a rifiing-machine, the combination, with the barrel-carryin gspindle and with the pinion adapted to run thereon and provided withspindle'actuat ng pawls, of the indexplate and ratchet-wheel fixed onthe spindle and adapted, substantially as described, to be actuatedbysaid pawls, the rack 133, the camslide 124, arranged to slide lengthwise of the spindle and crosswise of the rack, said slide having thereina cam-groove, and means, substantially as described, for actuating saidpinion through said rack from said cam-groove.

15. In a rifling-machine, the combination, with the carriage having therifling-rod provided with cutters and a feed-pin,of the barrel-carryingspindle located forward of the carriage and having means for holding thebarrel to be rifled, the cam-slide connected, substantially asdescribed, for intermittently actuating said spindle, connectionsactuating said cam-slide from the carriage as the carriage approachesthe ends of its stroke, feedcams carried on the spindle, feed apparatuslocated forward of the barrel-carrying spindle in position forcontacting with the feedpin at the forward end of the carriage movement,a ratchet and pawl for operating the feed-screw toward the carriage, andthe rockshaft connected, substantially as described, to be actuated fromsaid feed-cams on the spindle and to actuate said pawl, whereby thefeed-screw is advanced by connections from the carriage through thebarrel-carrying mechanism.

16. In a riding-machine, the combination, with a main bed and withdriving mechanism at one end thereof, of the carriage actuated from saidmechanism to have a reciprocating movement on the main bed,barrelcarrying mechanism forward of the carriage, means for rotating thebarrel-carrying spindle of said mechanism through connections with thecarriage, feed mechanism forward of the barrel-carrying mechanism andhaving the feed-screw supported on a retreating slide, and areciprocating rod connected to be actuated from the carriage and toactuate the reversing apparatus of the driving mechanism, said rodhaving a stop located thereon to retreat the feed-slide when thecarriage goes beyond its normal forward stroke.

17. In a ritling-machine, the combination, with a feed-screw,substantially as described, and with a ratchet-wheel arranged foradvancing said screw, of the adjustable stop on the screw for limitingits advancing movement by' engaging said ratchet-wheel, the plungerhaving a pawl engaging said ratchetwheel, a spring arranged to actuatethe plunger for turning said wheel, said plunger being provided with astop for limiting its forward movement, and a reciprocating armconnected and arranged to retract the pluner.

b CHAS. w. SPONSEL.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, HENRY L. REOKARD.

